Evaluation of firefighters' knowledge about medical procedures

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: National Firefighting Rescue System (NFRS) plays an crucial role in ensuring internal security of Poland. NFRS is based on Professional Fire Services (PFS) and Voluntary Fire Services (VFS). In accordance with Polish law, firefighters are able to perform a lot of medical procedures. The purpose of this work is to to evaluate the knowledge levels among professional and voluntary firefighters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational comparative study. Participants were recruited from professionally active firefighters from PFS and VFS. In order to assess the knowledge levels, test containing questions about 22 medical procedures has been prepared. Shapiro-Wilk and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze inter-group differences. All results were considered significant at p <0.05. RESULTS: The group of 100 professionally active firefighters from PFS (n = 50) and VFS (n = 50) were tested. The average age was 33.32 years (SD ± 6.06), and 31.96 years (SD ± 8.86) respectively. The average work experience was 10.66 years (SD ± 5.72) in the group of professional firefighters and 11.38 years (SD ± 8.38) among voluntary firefighters. There were no sociodemographic differences between the groups. No inter-group differences were found in an average test results (PSF: 76% vs VFS: 75%; p = 0.795). Work experience and the type of education were independent factors which correlated with test results (rs=0.216, p = 0.031 and rs=0.354, p = 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in test results between PFS and VFS formations. The knowledge levels of medical procedures in professionally active firefighters is insufficient to pass the state exam. Supervision of professional development and education in NFRS structures should be considered.

Keywords

• medical procedure
• fire service
• firefighter
• paramedic
• knowledge level